Gerry’s Geriatric Glimmerings

by Reverend Gerry Bennett, Assisting Priest, from July 2003 Tidings

Be Patient, Strong, and of Good Courage

I sit here at my computer reminiscing about the past few weeks and the amazing things that have happened at Church of the Nativity. However, I'm not going to deal with the past, but on the future, a future that began shortly before Easter. I witnessed a spectacular resurgence of spirit, one that coincided with the upcoming Easter Season, as it well should. It was an “UP” time for our parish family. We had many good things to focus on that Easter Season. Leaders emerged to carry us forward and to continue the wonderful work in Christ as has always been true at Nativity.

The Vestry has undertaken the awesome task of doing the day-to-day, mundane job of running a “corporation” with a budget of several hundred thousand dollars. Each member has elected to oversee a particular area of responsibility that will ensure that the business of God continues.

However, since no one person is able to do all that is necessary, others from the congregation have volunteered to assist in so many ways. This is the true Spirit of Christ working for the spread of the Kingdom.

Education is an aspect of Christianity that is so important, and the youth and the entire church family are being taught on Sundays and at Bible study on Wednesdays. Vacation Bible School, held at Northminster Presbyterian Church, has just ended with participation of several kids and “older kids” from Nativity. Those of you who were able to be at the worship service on June 27th saw the musical results of the VBS program.

Our worship is enhanced by the team of dedicated readers, acolytes, chalice bearers, and musicians. Behind the scenes, the Altar Guild makes certain that our worship space is lovingly ready for us at all services. Ushers and greeters welcome family members to Nativity, as well as assisting our many visitors as they share God's time with us. The Sexton makes certain our entire plant is kept clean and neat. The office staff has everything in readiness for worship through skills in typing, organizing, and their own forms of neatness. No church can run without Servants-in-Christ using the talents God gives us.

Finances are necessary to operate a facility such as ours, and the financial team, led by the Treasurer, keeps us solvent and in order. All financial books are open to all, and someone is always available to explain and show where your offerings to the Lord are being used. I am trying not to mention names (because I might forget someone), but no article about our church can be complete without recognizing the work done by the Search Committee, so well-coordinated by the Senior Warden.

They have been chosen to be the committee charged with the responsibility of recommending the name of one who will be selected to be the Spiritual Director of this beautiful congregation. The work they do will be vital to our ministry in years to come. The Senior Warden oversees this committee and the whole of the running of the church in the absence of a Rector. That is his function, and he does it more than well!

We have social events at Nativity because our leisure time is important in the life of any family. Those who organize the many social things we do, from golf to food, are invaluable to us in the family. We have outreach into the community. Some organizations use our facility, usually without cost, because we have a charge from our Lord to carry the Word into the world. Through our presence in the community, we spread the Good News of God.

In God's own time, we will be blessed with a new Rector to lead us into the future. He will become a part of our family and will continue Christ's work in the Sarasota-Manatee part of the world. We will welcome him (or her, as the case may be) into the loving arms of Nativity.

When the new Rector arrives, Nativity will be a strong vibrant community of Christ in the world, through the strong leadership we enjoy. But since any congregation consists of leaders and followers, too, the followers of Christ will be the backbone of the Church, following the Cross of Christ wherever it may lead.

Be patient; be strong and of good courage; be worshipful; be reverent. Good times are in our past, good times are with us now, and good times will be in our future, a future filled with the knowledge and worship of Jesus Christ.

This is definitely not my swan song, but I too will continue to serve at Nativity and will welcome a new Rector when God sends that person He has chosen for us. I will serve the Rector as I have in the past, as I have endeavored to serve you and our Lord Jesus Christ. God will surely bless us as we praise and worship Him.

In the Spirit of God,
Gerry+